Every roll is measured before it shipsMade-to-size cane panels, cut to the 1/4 in
ES
Reel of dark brown flat PE wicker strip with a loose end and a stainless steel prying tool on warm peach paper

Photos illustrate the product type.

Chair Caning Kits

Outdoor Wicker Repair Kit, 230 ft PE Strip with Weaving Tool

Fix resin patio furniture: 230 ft of 8.5 mm flat PE wicker strip on a reel and a stainless steel weaving tool, in four colors. Not for natural rattan.

ColorDark brown
$21.99

Most outdoor wicker sold today is not rattan at all. It is flat polyethylene (PE) strip woven over a metal frame, and after a few seasons outside, strands crack at the corners, arms wear through and seat edges split. This kit is for fixing that kind of damage: 230 ft of 8.5 mm flat PE strip on a reel, and a stainless steel tool for lifting tight strands.

It is for synthetic resin or PE wicker only. Do not use it on natural rattan, cane or reed furniture; those need natural materials.

You will also need:

  • Sharp scissors or flush cutters
  • Glue that bonds plastic outdoors, or a hot glue gun, for the ends
  • A soft brush and soapy water to clean the area first

The repair, step by step:

  • Cut out the broken strands back to a sound crossing point.
  • Slide the tool under the neighboring strands to open a path, and tuck the end of the new strip under them.
  • Weave over and under, following the strands on either side, and keep the strip flat with the same face up.
  • Finish by tucking the end underneath and gluing it where it will not show.

Polyethylene is hard to glue, so let the weave do the holding: tuck each end under several strands and use glue only to stop it from working loose. Spring, before the cushions go back out, is a good time to get it done.

How to choose

Pick the color from a photo of your furniture taken outdoors in daylight, not under indoor lights. Sun fades wicker over the years, so compare the four colors with the weathered part you are repairing rather than the sheltered underside. Gradient grey is two-tone; the other three are dark brown, light wood and black.

Before ordering, lay a ruler across one strand of your furniture. This kit's strip is 8.5 mm, about 1/3 in. Furniture woven from much wider or round strands needs our 12 mm wide strip or 5 mm round strand instead.

Most touch-ups, such as a corner, an arm or a split seat edge, use 50 to 120 ft, so the 230 ft reel often leaves some for next season.

Questions

How can I tell if my furniture is PE wicker or natural rattan?

PE wicker is smooth and slightly plastic to the touch, and it is usually woven over a metal frame; a cut end looks like solid plastic. Natural rattan has a woody grain and feel, and it often sits on a rattan or wood frame.

Do I need to soak the PE strip?

No. It is plastic and goes in dry. If it feels stiff on a cool day, bring the reel indoors to warm up for a while first.

Can I re-weave a whole seat with one kit?

It depends on the seat. Measure one row of strands across it, multiply by the number of rows, and compare the total with the 230 ft on the reel.

Will the new strip match my faded chair?

New strip is brighter than strands that have had years of sun. Pick the closest color in daylight; the difference softens as the new strip weathers.

You may also need

Guides